Peter Michael Shirley

Peter Michael Shirley

Peter Michael Shirley, 82, of Willard, WI, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026.

Pete was born July 8, 1943, in Lebanon, IN, to Levi and Mabel (Huckleberry) Shirley. Peter served his country in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965. He owned his own log trucking company for many years. On March 24, 2007, he was united in marriage to Toni Lowe, and they lived in Willard. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 139. He loved fishing and above all, spending time with his family.

He is survived by his children, Scott (Patti) Shirley of Sarasota, FL, and Todd Shirley of Neillsville; son-in-law Paul (Katie) Opelt of Neillsville; eight grandchildren, Jessica (Kent) Fitzl, Marcus (Michelle) Shirley, Marissa (Jason) Scheffler, Emily (Nino) Fricano, Marshall (Madelyn) Opelt, Natalie (Trevor) Fischer, Carson (Ava) Opelt and Kaleb Walsh; 10 great-grandchildren, Delayni, Drew, Draelynn, Mason, Stella, Charlotte, Blakely, Rosalie, Hahns and Fletcher; siblings Sheri Shirley, Kitty (Mace) Maisonet, Pat (Tom) Cummings, Sue (Roy) Elmhorst, Margo (Fritz) Elmhorst – as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Mabel; his wife, Toni; daughter Shelley Opelt; brother-in-law Ron Segebarth and niece, Andrea Cummings.

Visitation was from 1 - 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Military Honors were accorded by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council to conclude the visitation at the funeral home. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service assisted Pete’s family with funeral arrangements.